Musings from an Optimistic Redbird fan: 10-2012

Disappointing loss – Chris Carpenter made his season debut for the St. Louis Cardinals earlier Friday. He pitched very well but, the bullpen failed the team and the Chicago Cubs rallied to beat the Redbirds 5-4. Chris Carpenter went five innings, and gave up five hits and two runs. He struck out two and walked one. Welcome back Chris.  Joe Kelly was the pitcher of record as he blew the save and the game. Both he and Fernando Salas were as miserable in their pitching as they had been fantastic lately. Salas blew a save and allowed the Cubs to tie the game by giving up a two-run homerun to Darwin Barney. Then Kelly gave up the single that allowed the Cubs the walk off win. So, in my opinion, the next two games are MUST WINS for the Cardinals. They cannot afford to lose this series.

Lance Berkman…done? – Maybe not. Since his reinjured knee landed him back on the DL, Berkman may not be ready to call it quits after all. He’s implied that if his knee is close to 100%, he may return in time for the post season. And next year, possibly serving in the DH role for the Houston Astros. Remember, the Astros will be in the American League next year. Berkman obviously loves the state of Texas and if his career does end, now or later, he wants to return to his alma mater, Rice University, and serve in some capacity for their school’s baseball team. I’d rather have a Berkman at 80% than no Berkman at all. Let’s hope he’s healthy enough to contribute in the Cards’ post season.

Here we go again – I really appreciate Mike Matheny as our manager and his sensitivity to the players’ workload. And, I’m sure the players appreciate it too. But, now is not the time to give players rest; especially the starters. Freese was not in the lineup to give him some rest. This message is for the players as well as Matheny…suck it up and play ball! Rest in the off season but, this is what you’re paid to do! And that includes the bullpen. The starters need to start every game until our playoff position is locked up and the sooner the better. And the bullpen needs to be ready to pitch lights out baseball until our playoff position is assured. All I’m saying is this; the sooner we lockup our playoff position, the more rest the team can take before the real fun starts.

Thanks for reading. Go Cards!